The little girl who died after being left inside a hot car in Hallandale Beach was in the vehicle for about three hours before she was found, police said in an updated statement on Wednesday.
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On July 5, police received a report about a child “who had been left inside a vehicle while in the care of a babysitter” at a home in the 900 block of Northwest 7th Avenue.
According to authorities, the 2-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital “by the parties involved, where she was pronounced deceased.”
Police responded to the hospital at around 1:35 p.m. and worked to identify and locate the girl’s mother.
An investigation determined that the girl was left inside the vehicle for about three hours before she was found.
“The Broward State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the circumstances to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate, and the Department is awaiting the Medical Examiner’s final report. No charging decision has been made,” police said.
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The Broward County Medical Examiner has since released the child’s remains to the family’s designated funeral home.
In their statement, police said Chief Michel Michel extended his condolences to the family and emphasized the importance of preventing other deaths.
“This tragedy has touched our entire community,” he said. “While nothing can undo the pain this family is experiencing, our hearts remain with the child’s family. We hope this child’s story inspires every caregiver to adopt one simple habit: always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Taking one extra moment could prevent another family from experiencing this unimaginable loss.”
Police also shared a GoFundMe account set up by the family for the girl’s funeral expenses. In the GoFundMe, she was identified as Brittany Nicole Arellano.
Brittany’s death came just about a week after a little boy was found dead inside a car in Plantation. According to Kids and Car Safety, four children have died in Florida this year from being left in hot cars. That brings the total death count to 10 in the U.S.
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